Cats for Allergies - Can you think of a cat with allergies?

Who hasn't heard of cat allergies? Cats are sensitized much more often than even dogs. However, there are also many myths associated with cat allergies. Does cat hair really cause allergies? Is it possible to live under the same roof with a cat if you are allergic to it? Are there hypoallergenic cats?

Allergy is an allergic reaction of the body to a given allergen, i.e. a substance to which the body is allergic. This is the protection of our immune system from the allergen with which our body comes into contact and which this system considers alien and dangerous. If you are allergic to a cat, know that ... wool is not an allergen at all!

What Causes Cat Allergies? 

They cause allergies substances contained in the saliva and sebaceous glands of the animal. Specifically, the culprit is the protein Fel d1 (secretoglobulin), which causes hypersensitivity in more than 90% of people with cat allergies. Other cat allergens (from Fel d2 to Fel d8) can also cause allergies, but to a much lesser extent - for example, in the case of Fel d2 or feline serum albumin, it is estimated that 15-20% of people who are allergic to cats are allergic . cats on it. Although much less likely, it is worth knowing that Fel d2 is present in the cat's urine and increases with the age of the animal - this information can be important when treating people with allergies.

Cat allergens are carried and spread to the fur of an animal when it licks its fur (i.e., a normal feline activity) and also when we comb and stroke the cat. Hair and epidermal particles traveling around the apartment mean that allergens are present almost everywhere - on furniture, appliances and clothing. Perhaps, hence the simplification that it is the hair that is responsible for the allergy.

How to check if we are allergic to a cat? 

It is impossible not to notice the typical symptoms of an allergic reaction. They are similar to those with a cold - sneezing, coughing, sore throat, nasal congestion, watery eyes sometimes hives i itchy skinAnd also asthma attacks. Symptoms vary in intensity depending on the degree of allergy in the body. They should not be underestimated - untreated allergies can worsen and lead to the development of serious diseases, such as chronic sinusitis, bronchial asthma or bronchial obstruction.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction to cats usually appear 15 minutes to 6 hours after direct contact with the pet. If you suspect a cat allergy, you should contact a specialist doctor and conduct tests on this subject - skin allergy tests and / or blood tests.

Cat and allergies under one roof 

Probably, many are wondering if an allergic person can live under the same roof with a cat. It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally, but it is not impossible either, because there are ways to deal with allergy symptoms quite well, by maximum restriction of contact with the allergenNorpharmacological symptoms or desensitization. If you are planning to take a cat under your roof, it is worth first checking if our body is allergic to it. If until now we have not had the opportunity to communicate with these animals, or have been, but for a very long time, we may not even know that we have an allergy. It's best to just expose yourself to the cat

We can visit friends who have a cat, ask to visit and interact with the animal at a breeder or cat care foundation, or visit a cat cafe first. Caring for a cat is a decision for years, so it’s worth checking the reaction of your body in this way so that after a few days or weeks you don’t get rid of the cat and subject it to the associated stress, if it turns out that the allergy is strong and we don’t have the strength and means of dealing with its consequences.

How to prepare a house for a cat? 

We may find ourselves in a situation where we become aware of a cat allergy when the cat comes home - for example, when we rescue a cat from the street in a heart attack or in a house where the cat is already there, a new family member will come to him with an allergy. Then there is no need to panic and get rid of the animal in a panic. Cat allergens have already dispersed throughout the apartment and can remain in it for several weeks after the animal leaves the apartment. Giving away your cat should be a last resort, other options should be considered first. It is worth doing the allergy tests mentioned at the beginning to make sure that the allergy is related to the cat and that there is no risk of cross-allergy (sometimes an allergy to a given allergen can cause an allergy to another that was not allergic). until an allergic reaction). It will be necessary to minimize contact with cat allergens by implementing specific actions that will help in this:

• If possible, keep your cat away from furniture, tables, and countertops and wash these surfaces frequently.
• It is good that the pet does not have access to the room, especially to the allergy sufferer's bedroom, the cat should not sleep with him in bed, have contact with the bedding
• Let's limit or eliminate textiles from the home altogether. Curtains, curtains, bedspreads and carpets are "absorbers" of allergens. The ones we won't completely discard will require frequent washing or cleaning. Consider furniture covers that are easy to remove and wash. Vacuuming carpets can exacerbate the problem, as allergens are raised in the process, so carpets may need to be washed or vacuumed with a wet mop.
• Frequent and thorough cleaning of the entire apartment, if possible, airing and washing hands frequently, and even changing clothes after contact with a pet
• The less you touch your pet, the better for allergy sufferers. Hygiene activities with the cat, such as trimming the nails or cleaning the cat's litter box, should be performed by a person who does not suffer from allergies. You can also wear a face mask when you are in close contact with your cat or when you are cleaning the litter box.

Mitigate the effects of cat allergies 

In the fight against the unpleasant symptoms of allergies, we can also help ourselves with medicines. Antihistamines, nasal and inhalation drugs they will certainly help relieve allergy symptoms and work well in the company of a purr. Of course, it should be remembered that the severity of allergic reactions is always individual. Medications should always be taken after consulting a doctor, and medications should be properly selected for a particular case.

Another way to deal with allergies immunotherapy, i.e. desensitization. It not only relieves allergic symptoms, but also prevents the development of bronchial asthma. The therapy can give good results that last even several years after its completion, unfortunately the therapy itself also lasts even 3-5 years, and you have to prepare for subcutaneous injections, in the initial phase once a week, then once a month.

Hypoallergenic purr - which cat is allergic? 

Well, unfortunately it doesn't exist yet. Let's not fall for marketing tricks with such slogans. Studies have shown that the length and density of hair do not significantly affect the concentration of allergens in the air.

Hairless cats, whose skin is lubricated with naturally produced sebum, which contains an allergenic protein, also sensitize, so the coat itself is not a problem here. In 2019, it was announced to the public that Swiss scientists had developed the HypoCat vaccine, which should neutralize the allergenic protein produced by cats. Interestingly, it is given to animals, not people, so any cat after such a vaccination can become hypoallergenic! The vaccine is still under research and not approved for mass circulation, but the initial information about its effects is very promising and could be a great chance to improve the fate of both allergy sufferers and the animals themselves, which are often abandoned. due to allergies on the part of their caregivers.

However, until there is a vaccine, we can also reduce the risk of allergies by choosing a cat of a breed more recommended for allergy sufferers than others (which I wrote about in the text about the most popular cat breeds). The Devon Rex, Cornish Rex, and Siberian cat breeds are not completely hypoallergenic, but they do produce Fel d1 proteins that are less sensitive to humans. When choosing an allergy sufferer, you can also take into account the gender of the pet and the color of the coat. Studies have shown that animals (as is the case for dogs) with light, and especially white fur, have fewer allergenic proteins. With regard to the sex of cats, it is believed that males are more allergenic than females, as they secrete more protein secretions. In addition, unneutered cats produce more of them than neutered ones.

As you can see, there are several ways to reduce the risk of a cat allergy and overcome its consequences, so it seems that even allergy sufferers can enjoy the company of cats under their roof.

More similar texts can be found on AvtoTachki Passions under Mam Pets.

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